On 12 October 2023, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, deposited with the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, the instruments of ratification of Convention no. 155 and related Protocol, and Convention no. 187, both regarding occupational health and safety. The two Conventions offer a framework for the definition of a national policy aimed at preventing, through the promotion of social dialogue, accidents at work and occupational diseases as well as creating an increasingly safe and healthy working environment, through a coordinated action by all concerned actors.
As further testimony to the importance of today’s step, a Resolution of the 2022 International Labor Conference included Conventions no. 155 and 187 among the fundamental ILO Conventions and has elevated the healthy and safe working environment to the rank of ILO fundamental principles and rights at work.
During the ceremony, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, Ambassador Grassi underlined the importance of this step for Italy, adding that “these Conventions, which are the result of significant tripartite efforts, align with our commitment to ensuring that every worker, in our country and beyond our borders, enjoys safe and healthy working conditions, thereby contributing to the overall development of our nation and the global society”. For his part, upon receiving the instruments of ratification, Director General Houngbo congratulated the excellent result with Italy, which “has now ratified all the fundamental Conventions of the ILO”, and highlighted that the deposit of the ratifications “reaffirms Italy’s strong support for ILO values and its normative system”, as well as our country’s commitment “to promoting occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner”. The DG was keen to emphasize Italy’s path which places our country among the most virtuous in the G7, G20 and European Union
Link to ILO press statement.
